[bonus prompt 3]Chase the Devil

‘Hes still flirtin with the ladies, the dam hourse woundt hurt a hair on their pretti little heads. Never think he was sucha devil by wachin him out there. He still handosme as ever and still got his temper when it coms to bein touched. found out over the two years weve ad him that he can come sniffin- but best not to reach out to him. The Boss, hes got the devil in im.’

Mack scribbled the messy words out on the page with a heavy sigh, his eyes straying to just under the rim of his hat to look at The Boss that stood at the edge of the pasture bowing his head, pawing the dirt and calling out to the two mares just out of reach. As much as he lashed out at people, the horse was nothing but a womanizer with the mares. At times, Mack would watch Ladyfingers running up and down the fence calling for him and every time he’d come running over and run along the fence line with her. Mack would let them mingle further, but Joe never managed to castrate the stallion as badly as he wanted to. 

‘I -woud- would never take it back, gettin on Boss was the best worst thing to ever happin. The rops bein to tigt was my falt, i cant blame im for mi fingers but.. We thoght we knew what sorta acribats he could do. he caugt uss all  by suprise, that horse went for blood when he came aftr me.’

An untimely snort made Mack snap his eyes up and twitch, as if the stallion was going to suddenly be on the wrong side of the fence. He let out a huff of air when he saw the stallion snorting at the mare in the next field to get her attention. Mamma of course, of course, the horse…  She simply waved her tail dismissively at him as she turned. 

 ‘I can say i was the lasst person to evr ride him but i can say he was last horse i rode. The ol man still hasnt evn gottin in with him n after the show he gave aint no one else try either. Geezer was rite about him, tunrin into a yard orniment. Damn shame, but he did putton a good show. Somtimes we get ol riders wantin to come see im, but they aint trin to git close nuff to ride.’

Mack bit the eraser of his pencil as he looked up at the stallion, a reminder to him of who had maimed him. He tapped his index and middle finger against the page. It wasn’t the only injury the horse had left him.

The sooty stallion raised his head, his ears swiveling as his head turned almost unnaturally to look at Mack and raise his nose. Intimidating blue eyes stared, knowing he had been the one to kick that smile off of Mack’s face and the young man could have sworn he saw that smile reflecting on the stallion’s face like it was a badge of honor.

‘I still visit im time to time, but id cut the rest of my fingers off fore i reach out to him agan.’

“You worry me when you sit out here scribblin’ in that book of yours.” Joe’s voice calmly spoke out and Mack looked up as the firm calloused hand met his shoulder.

Mack closed the book and wrapped the leather string around it, shaking his head as he looked back down, leaned forward and with the man’s help, stood up. 

“I’m fine Joseph,” Mack huffed out as his eyes turned back up to see the stallion grazing, as if he didn’t have a care in the world- and from where Mack was standing, he really didn’t.

“You ain’t gonna get your fingers back by starin’ at ‘im.” Joe bantered.

“No, but if he’s going to be a yard ornament, I might as well enjoy lookin’ at ‘im.” Mack huffed out with a slight and the old man gave him an endearing shake before pulling his hand back. 

Joseph snorted an undesired laugh, shaking his head as he started walking with him. 

“Just try to keep up with me.” Joe said. “Doctor said you gotta stay movin’ if you want to get any better at walkin’ again.“

Mack shook his head, following after him with his earned limp. 

“You don’t have to throw it in my face everytime.” Mack chuckled as he tucked the notebook away in his vest.

“What you even writin’ about anyways?” 

“Mostly about how damn stubborn and annoying you can be old man.”

Joseph laughed and nudged Mack with his elbow playfully. 

“Ain’t no sense in a cowboy havin’ a diary.” 

“Ain’t no sense in a cowboy havin’ horses he can’t ride either.” Mack said with an eye roll and a smirk. 

Joseph shook his head, but even he couldn’t help but notice that smirk had never been the same since The Boss had bested him.